The head of the Metropolitan Police Service investigation into Jimmy Savile has said abuse allegations span six decades and could involve 60 victims.

Commander Peter Spindler, who leads the MPS Specialist Crime Investigations branch, said: "We can now confirm that we have received information from the public that suggests allegations against Jimmy Savile span six decades with reports starting in 1959 up to and including 2006.

"Having now had the opportunity to review progress one week on I have revised my estimate of the number of likely victims to be about 60.

"Once again I want to thank those who have come forward and reassure them, and everyone else who contacts us, they will be listened to."

The scandal surrounding the former Top of the Pops presenter has mushroomed since ITV screened a documentary in which five women alleged they were abused by the late DJ and broadcaster.

Scotland Yard is pursuing 340 lines of inquiry into the Savile abuse case and so far 12 allegations of sexual offences have been officially recorded.

Metropolitan Police detectives are in contact with 14 other forces as the number of allegations continues to rise.

Scotland Yard is pursuing 340 lines of inquiry in the Savile abuse case

Police investigated allegations about Savile's behaviour as far back as 1958, The Sunday Telegraph claimed.

Savile paid officers to drop a case against him for "interfering with young girls" when he was a nightclub manager in Leeds, his former bodyguard told the newspaper.

Video:Esther Rantzen On Jimmy Savile

It comes after the Department of Health announced it was to investigate how Savile was allowed to work as a volunteer following allegations that he abused and raped patients at Broadmoor hospital in the 1970s and 1980s.

A spokeswoman said there would be an investigation into how the TV presenter was appointed to lead a "taskforce" overseeing a restructuring of the hospital's management.

Lawyers acting for Savile's alleged victims are said to be considering taking legal action against several NHS trusts and the BBC.

Lawyer Liz Dux, of Slater and Gordon, and an expert in personal injury and child abuse cases, told The Guardian newspaper she was acting for a number of women who want to sue on the grounds of vicarious liability.

The BBC has come under fire after it emerged Newsnight abandoned an investigation into the alleged abuse and claims that staff were aware of Savile's behaviour and failed to take action.

Director-general George Entwistle offered an apology to the victims on Friday and announced two inquiries would be held - into the Newsnight decision and culture and practices at the BBC.